Flexible spring electrical contact for an electrical connector

Abstract

A female electrical contact including at least one axial elongate flexible spring offset from the axis (A) of the contact and elastically deformable in a transverse direction. The flexible spring (6) comprises a tail (5) engaged in a support (2, 4); a contact portion (7); an intermediate portion (8) located between the tail portion (5) and the front contact portion (7), and having longitudinal curvature of large radius without any folding so as to enable it to bend elastically in a transverse direction; and a portion (10) having a reduced moment of inertia located between the intermediate portion and the front contact portion, thereby making the spring suitable for distributing bending stresses over the entire length of the intermediate portion and facilitating progressive and continuous elastic bending thereof the three portions (5, 7, 8) and having predetermined transverse curvature imparting desired stiffness thereto; an abutment surface (2a) being located at the rear of the spring to keep its deformation within its elastic limits.

I claim: 
     
       1. A female type electrical contact for an electrical connector, said contact including at least one elongate flexible spring extending substantially axially with an offset from an axis of said contact and being elastically deformable transversely, wherein said flexible spring (6, 6') comprises: (a) a tail portion (5, 5') engaged in a support (2, 4);   (b) a front contact portion (7) bearing against a male type contact (M) when inserted in said female contact;   (c) an intermediate portion (8) located between said tail portion (5, 5') and said front contact portion (7) and being curved longitudinally towards said axis of the contact with a curvature of large radius and free of any fold, said intermediate portion being bent elastically in a traverse direction when a male type contact is inserted; and   (d) a portion (10) having a reduced moment of inertia situated between said intermediate portion and said front contact portion, thereby obtaining a reduction in resistance to bending suitable for distributing stresses over an entire length of said intermediate portion and encouraging continuous and progressive elastic bending of said intermediate portion when said flexible spring cooperates with a male type contact;   (e) at least one of said intermediate portion, said portion of reduced moment of inertia, and said front contact portion having a predetermined transverse curvature imparting desired stiffness thereto; and   said support comprising an interior abutment surface (2a) limiting transverse deformation of said flexible spring to keep it within elastic deformation limits of said spring.   
     
     
       2. A contact according to claim 1, wherein said portion (10) having a reduced moment of inertia is narrower than said intermediate portion and said front contact portion on either side thereof. 
     
     
       3. A contact according to claim 1, wherein said flexible spring has a substantially constant thickness throughout all portions of said flexible spring. 
     
     
       4. A contact according to claim 1, wherein said flexible spring has a substantially constant transverse curvature, at least over the entire length of said intermediate portion having a reduced moment of inertia, and said front contact portion. 
     
     
       5. A contact according to claim 1, wherein said support is an outer rigid tubular body (2) housing said flexible spring (6, 6'), said interior abutment surface (2a) of said tubular body constituting the above-mentioned abutment surface situated at the rear of said flexible spring, an internal plug (4) being located in a rear portion of said tubular body, the tail portion (5, 5') of said flexible spring being engaged between said plug and said tubular body. 
     
     
       6. A contact according to claim 5, including a plurality of distinct flexible springs (6) having tail portions of widths such that they surround said internal plug (4) while coming laterally into abutment against one another. 
     
     
       7. A contact according to claim 15, including at least two flexible springs (6') formed as a single piece (13), said springs having tail portions which form a tubular sleeve (5) surrounding said plug. 
     
     
       8. A contact according to claim 5, including a single flexible spring (6) and a guidance and thrust piece (150) for said male contact, said guidance and thrust piece facing said flexible spring. 
     
     
       9. A contact according to claim 5, wherein said tail portion (5, 5') has at least one radial projection (11) extending inwards and engaged in a housing (12) of said internal plug (4) for axial retention purposes.